The number of stays lasting 1-12 months by short-term international immigrants to England and Wales has increased from 996,000 for the year to mid-2010 to 1,098,000 to the year to mid-2011. This change is statistically significant.

There were 236,000 stays of 3-12 months in the year to mid-2011 compared with 213,000 for the year to mid-2010.

There was a statistically significant increase in stays of 3-12 months made for ‘other’ reasons, including recreation, holiday and visits to friends and relatives, from 83,000 in the year to mid-2010 to 114,000 for the year to mid-2011.

In the year to mid-2011 there was a statistically significant increase in 25-34 year old short-term international emigrants leaving for 3-12 months. They made 97,000 trips in the year to mid-2011 compared to 68,000 in the year to mid-2010.

Australia was the most popular destination for 3-12 months short-term trips by residents of England and Wales; 32,000 were made in the year to mid-2011. India was the second most popular destination with 30,000 visits in the same period.

There were 98,000 stays lasting 3-12 months for the main reason of work or study in the year ending mid-2011, broadly similar to the estimate of 116,000 for the year to mid-2010. This estimate is distributed to local authorities.

In this release

Estimates of short-term migration, based on information gathered by the International Passenger Survey (IPS) when migrants return home. Estimates refer to flows to and from England and Wales as well as the average stock of short-term migrants present in or absent from England and Wales. Statistics are provided for migration of periods between 3 and 12 months and 1 and 12 months.